Driving Precision in Bulk & Building Materials Manufacturing
As industries across the UK look toward a more sustainable, efficient future, the building materials sector finds itself at the heart of that transformation. From clay, sand, bricks and cement to plasterboard, glass and insulation materials, manufacturers face mounting pressure to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and deliver consistently high-quality products that meet ever-stricter regulatory standards.
This November, Materials, Minerals & Mining for People, Places, Planet (M3P3) by the IOM3, will bring together leaders from across the bulk and building materials supply chain. The event will showcase the latest innovations shaping the future of production, from smarter process control to strategies for decarbonisation in line with the UK’s net zero targets. It’s an opportunity for manufacturers to connect, share expertise, and explore solutions that can strengthen performance in an increasingly competitive market.
Why M3P3 Matters
The building materials industry has always been a cornerstone of infrastructure and construction, but it now faces challenges unlike any before. Rising energy costs are pushing producers to optimise every stage of production, while customers and regulators demand transparency, consistency, and sustainable practices.
M3P3 addresses these challenges head-on, with expert-led seminars and discussions on:
- Sustainability and carbon reduction in energy-intensive processes like brick kilns and cement production.
- Innovation in process control, with digital technologies enabling smarter, data-driven decisions.
- Future materials and circular economy models for construction and bulk material processing.
Our Focus at M3P3: Moisture Measurement & Process Control
As part of this year’s event, Control Metrix will be showcasing the Nordson PrediktIR II, a next-generation NIR industrial moisture gauge designed specifically for measuring bulk materials in challenging environments such as clay and brick production lines.
In brick and bulk materials manufacturing, moisture control is not just a technical detail – it’s a production-critical parameter. Too much water in raw clay or aggregates leads to longer drying and firing times, increased energy use, and higher costs. Too little, and products risk cracks, deformation, or failure to meet quality standards, leading to waste.
The PrediktIR II provides real-time, non-contact moisture measurement, enabling operators to:
- Reduce energy consumption by avoiding over-drying and over-firing.
- Cut waste from under- or over-moist product batches.
- Ensure consistent quality in bricks, cement, and other materials.
- Support compliance with building standards through reliable, traceable data.
Managing Director, John Miller, commented:
“M3P3 is a fantastic platform for collaboration across the building materials industry, and we’ve already built successful partnerships through the previous Clay Tech event in past years. With sustainability and efficiency now top of mind for manufacturers, we’re excited to share how precision measurement tools like the PrediktIR II can help reduce waste, optimise processes, and deliver consistent, high-quality products.”
Meet Us at M3P3 2025
Control Metrix is proud to be part of this year’s M3P3 event, where our team will be on hand to discuss how advanced non-contact measurement solutions can support your production goals.
If you’re attending, be sure to stop by and meet our colleagues, explore the PrediktIR II in action, and find out how precision moisture measurement can help you improve efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver the quality your customers expect.
If you’d like to speak to us ahead of the show, or would like to arrange to see us there, call us today +44 (0)1823 761 309 or contact us to discuss your requirements.